This is Amber.

She is a pug. So that means that she grunts, and wiggles and basically spreads happiness wherever she goes!

Happy Friday Face!

All images ©Susan Dodd

It snowed here yesterday. It doesn’t do that very often; almost never actually. So, everyone was pretty excited. And, yes, we even had a SNOW DAY! As with most of our snow storms, this one ended in rain…and then the sure to follow…ice. During the changeover from snow to rain, everything outside took on this beautiful misty, foggy look. So, I grabbed my camera, my daughter and her two friends (who were playing upstairs) and headed down to the Perkiomen Trail for some quicky quick photos before it really started raining! And, oh yes, it did start raining!

Oh, Ginger, you are so darned cute!

I’ve always wanted to photograph a Corgi, but I never had. That is, until I met Ginger. I wasn’t even there to photograph Ginger! But there she was, right beside me…looking at me with…well…that face, those ears, that smile! How could I resist?

Oh, stop. You’re killing me!

All images ©Susan Dodd

Not intentional, I swear. It’s either a self portrait, or a fun game of “I Spy.”

Can you find me??

If you’re a woman, wife, mother, meal fixer, caregiver, or, heck, any of these you must have experienced the “joy” of struggling each day to think of something new and wonderful to fix for dinner.  How many times do we hear the famous words, “what’s for dinner?”  I don’t know about you, but sometimes that little sentence can send chills down my spine! 

I am a blogaholic. I love reading good blogs. I subscribe to many and usually try to read, or at least skim through them all. The subject matter of these blogs varies greatly. Today, I would like to share with you four blogs that I feel are particularly helpful to anyone who is faced, on a daily basis, with the pondering age old “What’s for dinner” question.

They are all great, and I hope you find at least one great recipe in each. If not, keep checking them, I’m sure something will pop up to tickle your cooking fancy!

1) Stephmodo – this blog has not only great recipe ideas, but tons of other cool things as well – from organizing, to shopping, to decorating. Just an all around fun read!

2) Taste Buds - Chock full of recipes!

3) Kayotic Kitchen - This blog is so adorable! Each recipe has great step by step photographs! And, in the newer posts there are beautiful, little printable recipe cards.

4) Pioneer Woman Cooking- Great, great blog. Not only is there cooking, but if you go to the main page, you’ll see all kinds of neat stuff. Ree is a great writer….sure to put a smile on your face every time. Humor, fun photos, great stories, yummy recipes, fabulous giveaways, and even some wonderful photography tips (including photoshop tutorials). Just an all around awesome blog.

Now, get out of your rut, and go cook something!

And, because I’ve heard that photographers should never have a post without a photo….this is what was going on by the sunny warm window in my home yesterday afternoon.

Kovu and Dolce lazing on a Sunday afternoon!

All images ©Susan Dodd

I have gone on and on about my cat Dolce. Yes, he’s very cool, indeed. But, he is not the orginal oriental in our household. In Dolce’s post, I made mention of another, wiser, more sophisticated cat…well I didn’t use those exact words, but it’s true. Kovu is our first oriental, our first showcat. And, yes, I’m bragging now, he is a Supreme Grand Champion – (I may have said that before). He came to us on a plane from Texas. He arrived without a hitch and the minute we saw him it was instant LOVE. He weighed a mere 4.5 pounds, but he was mighty and sweet all at the same time. As a matter of fact, the people at the cargo terminal brought Kovu into the office and kept him (in his carrier of course) on the desk with them!

When we got into the car, we let Kovu out and he immediately curled up on my daughter’s lap and began to purr. Pretty amazing. The bond was instantaneous. When we got home, and there were two large, eager labs waiting with their excited lab faces and big bodies, Kovu just walked right under them like it was nothing. Hence, his name, Hensleek Mighty Kovu. He’s mighty.

He doesn’t play favorites these days. He loves us all equally. But, there is still that connection between Kovu and my daughter. This is pretty much how things started back then, and how things are today!

Happy Friday Face!

All images ©Susan Dodd

I travelled to Massachusetts this past weekend. I went for a couple of reasons, one of which was to photograph little Lio. He was amazing and precious and all those things that newborn infants are. There is so much to write about our trip…the snow being one of them, but I just need to post this little peek of the beauty of Lio.

Much more to come, but for now enjoy this sweet, sweet heavenly face.

All images ©Susan Dodd

Tank.

He is a huge, handsome rottweiler.  Tank’s facial expressions were really cool because he was raised with two labradors.  So, at times, while I was photographing him, I swore he looked just like a little lab puppy!  Yet, he really is all rottie.  He’s majestic, gorgeous, and sometimes a bit goofy! And, he’ll do pretty much anything you ask. LOVE Tank!!

Happy Friday Face!!

During part two of my session with Jackie and Casey, we headed into the barn so Jackie could give Casey a nice brushing.  Horses…they just get so dusty!

There is nothing like spending time in a barn with a horse and his owner. To me, it is a beautiful, peaceful experience. Especially on that day. The sun was low in the sky and the air was fresh and crisp. Honestly, I could have stayed until dark!

Casey is quiet and calm. He doesn’t say much, but he seems to know a little more than he lets on. Like the fact that he looked really cool standing there in that gorgeous light. Like the fact that when I got the film back and saw the images I would immediatley fall in love with them. The texture, the light, and handsome Mr. Casey. Who could ask for more?

Oh, and I was playing around with some new photoshop brushes and created some special borders just for Casey!

All images ©Susan Dodd

Now here is a face that truly, only a mother could love!

I affectionately call this photo…”take my dog, please!”

His name was Noel and he really was a little love.

Happy Friday Face!

All images ©Susan Dodd